Traces of gastronomy in painting, fresco, and mosaic art of antiquity

This thesis examines the representations of gastronomy in the visual arts of Antiquity, aiming to reveal that nourishment was not merely a biological necessity, but also a cultural symbol and an aesthetic expression. The intersection between art and gastronomy offers a significant insight into the multi-layered relationship that humanity has established with nature, society, and the sacred throughout history. The study analyzes a wide range of visual material, from hunting scenes drawn on cave walls to depictions of lavish banquets adorning the walls of Roman villas. Artworks from Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Anatolian civilizations (Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians), Ancient Greece, and Rome are examined in the context of their culinary culture, religious rituals, and social structures. Drawing upon key sources such as Gombrich, Childe, Plato, and Zanker, the study emphasizes that artistic representations are not merely aesthetic objects but also images that carry the ideological, philosophical, and cultural codes of their time. The research argues that gastronomic depictions in works of art are not simply surfaces reflecting the past but are aesthetic constructions shaped by humanity's quest for meaning. In this sense, the depiction of a table does not only evoke consumption but also covers identity, belonging, ritual, and meaning. Throughout history, humans have engraved these images onto stones, walls, and mosaics to feed not only their bodies but also their sense of self.